(WWJ) - For Lions’ fans returning from San Francisco, it’s time to reflect on the team's success and look ahead to next season.
The Detroit Lions lost to the 49ers on Sunday, ending their quest for the Super Bowl.
Fans are saying there is a lot to celebrate. Others say it’s time to shift focus to next year.
WWJ’s Charlie Langton spoke to people at Metro Airport who flew back from San Francisco Monday morning.
“They’ll never take away that first half,” Jason from Commerce Township said. “The feeling in the stands, walking around, being up, it was special. It hurts, but it doesn’t hurt the same way it did in the past.”
Lions’ fans have established themselves as fiercely loyal, especially in the postseason. The Lions won their first playoff game in over 30 years, and the fans carried their excitement from Detroit to San Francisco.
“I felt we learned some things,” Murray from Bloomfield Hills said. “There’s going to be some healing, but what a run.”
Jason, also from Bloomfield Hills, said the flight back to Detroit was very different from the flight out to San Francisco.
“The plane ride back home was as quiet as can be,” Jason said. “Heads were down. The plane ride to the 49ers, we were singing the fight song.”
Jason said he had video of the fans singing the fight song on the flight. He said it was silent on the return to Detroit.
The Lions finished the season with 12 wins in the regular season and two wins in the postseason, one of the best seasons they've had in franchise history, experts said.